The Cruising Life – challenges & observations when moving on board

Moving from land to boat created interesting challenges and observations, even on the second time around:

You have to become flexible. Having a large engine room is great, but you still have to bend yourself like a pretzel to get in there. Then perform miracles to unscrew, twist, replace . . .

The top of the mast (68 ft high) moves a lot when you’re clinging to it, even on anchor.

Bruises accumulate. The vice in the workshop bit me every time I went passed!

Finding free WiFi on anchor is incredibly exciting.

It’s possible to live cheaply on board (buy Cruisers’ AA to find out what I am talking about).

There is an amazing amount of work involved in getting the boat ready for doing miles. (We rode our bicycles 60-70 miles a week, carrying the equivalent of a small truck load on our backs.)

The laptop and camera are cherished items. I have to type everything as I can’t even read my own handwriting anymore and my camera captures all those memories which disappear with wine, oops I mean time.

It’s so peaceful swinging on anchor.

Just a few more knots of wind at night makes the difference between a peaceful sleep and a fitful sleep.